To assess depression, anxiety and stress among of secondary school students in Riyadh City.
Methodology
it was a cross sectional, self administered questionnaire based survey. Included 1225 secondary school student, Riyadh City was divided into 5 geographical areas, i.e., Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Central areas. Following a stratified random sample, one secondary school for boys and another for girls were selected randomly, within each area, included (120 boys and 125 girls), during the period from October till december2012. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) was used.
Results
Symptoms of depression were present among 46.9% of students, 48% had symptoms of anxiety while 38.1% had symptoms of stress. Female students had significantly higher mean scores for depression, anxiety and stress (p<0.001 for all).. Mean scores for depression, anxiety and stress were significantly higher among smokers than nonsmokers (p=0.009; p=0.007 and p=0.005, respectively). Students with a positive family history of psychiatric problems had higher mean scores for negative emotional states (p<0.001; p=0.120 and p=0.002, respectively). There were significantly positive correlations among the studied three negative emotional states (p<0.001 for all correlations).
Conclusion
Prevalence rates for negative emotional states are high among secondary schools students in Riyadh City. Symptoms of anxiety are the most prevalent negative emotional state among secondary school students followed by depression and then stress.. Mothers' employment has significantly negative impact upon their children's emotional status. School health care providers should be trained to screen students for negative emotions. Employed mothers should be advised not to be distracted away from their vital role toward their children, i.e., emotional care.